Master's in Social & Cultural Anthropology

The University of Bayreuth has quickly gained a reputation for excellence. The campus, characterized by modern architecture and surrounded by picturesque landscapes, fosters a vibrant academic community. The University of Bayreuth is celebrated for its distinctive focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting dialogue between various fields of study. With strengths in fields such as African Studies, Polymer and Colloid Chemistry, and Non-European Legal Systems, the university offers a unique academic portfolio. Its commitment to research-driven teaching and internationalization has positioned it as a hub for students and scholars seeking a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

The M.A. in Social and Cultural Anthropology is a research-focused master’s program which offers students an advanced orientation in socio-cultural anthropology and guides them through an ethnographic research project. Students engage with enduring and contemporary questions in the field of anthropology and learn to use ethnography as a reflexive lens onto a particular research problem. The program is informed by its emphasis on the multiplicity of human experience and on its global entanglements. Students benefit from a close working relationship with academic staff and may take advantage of the University of Bayreuth’s distinction as a center of African Studies. The M.A. in Social and Cultural Anthropology is an internationally oriented degree that builds on B.A.-level training in anthropology or related disciplines. At the heart of the program is the “guided research” component, in which students develop independent research projects in close conversation both with teaching staff and the other students in their cohort. Fieldwork, which often takes place in collaboration with institutions abroad, usually lasts at least six weeks and can be conducted either as part of a group or individually. The guided research project is co-sponsored by the University of Bayreuth.

The University of Bayreuth stands out as a dynamic institution at the forefront of innovative education and research. Known for its youthful energy since its establishment, the university has become a beacon of academic excellence. With a commitment to interdisciplinary studies, it fosters a vibrant community that encourages collaboration between diverse fields. Notably, the university has gained recognition for its pioneering work in areas such as African Studies, Polymer and Colloid Chemistry, and Non-European Legal Systems. This emphasis on unique academic strengths, combined with a dedication to research-driven teaching and global engagement, makes the University of Bayreuth a distinctive and influential player in the academic landscape.